Population structure [Pyramids]
[Structure]
● Population structure refers to the composition of the population
as per sex and Age in a country or a region. It shows the distribution
of population according to age and gender within a country or region
● Population structure is represented in Age Sex pyramids which
show the ages in the middle and males on the right and females on
the left
● Population can be shown in numbers or as percentages on the X
axis
● Pyramid has Bars and each bar represent a certain group of
population and their ages
● The pyramid is divided into three groups, young
dependants,Economically active and elderly dependantants .
The young dependents are below 16 years or 18 in LEDCS
who depend on their parents for food, clothes shelter while
Population structure details
● Young dependants. These are young people from ages upto to
18 years who are non working but depend on their parents for
support eg education,food and shelter. LEDCS have more young
dependants as compared to other countries. The countries have
high birth rates and they are overpopulated. Their pyramids have
a broad base which narrows towards the apex
● Economically active are the working age group
● Elderly depentants refers to the people above 65 years . The
are more in MEDCS which are underpopulated and they depend
on economically active for support,food,care and [Link]
pyramid is narrow at the base ad broadens towards the
[Link] is a sign of high life expectancy
● Which is a characteristics of MEDCS
Compare the population pyramids as per the three groups and
discuss possible problems faced by such population
Relationship between population pyramid and DTM
Is There a relationship between population and DTM? Yes
The structure of a population changes as a country develops . Countries in stage 2
have a pyramid with a broad base while counties in stage 4 and 5 have a base that
is narrow at the base but becomes broadens at the middle with a longer apex. This
implies a higher life expectancy
Change in demographic transition means change in population structure as the
shape of the pyramid changes
A pyramid with a wide base indicates high birth rates hence character of LEDCS
while narrow base or smaller bars symbolize MEDCS
If the Bars reduce in size quickly it indicates high deaths rates.
If there are a lot of old dependents it indicates high life expectancy and the bars
remain longer
If the base curves in, it indicates falling birth rates and a declining
Population structure in different countries
Kenya
Kenya [LEDCS]
● The pyramid is wide at the base which
shows high birth rate and shortens
towards the centre with a shorter and
narrow apex
● The country is in the second stage in
demographic model and birth rates are
high
● There is high population growth rate
● High mortality rate
● Low life expectancy.
population structure of different
countries
Niger
● The pyramid is wide at the base which
shows high birth rate for a LEDCS
● The country is in second stage in
demographic model. The pyramid is broad
at the base
● There is high population growth rate in
[ Niger 46/1000, one of the highest in
the world High percentage of population
● High mortality rate marked by decrease in made up of young people <15
years a sign of overpopulation
the bars as we move towards the centre
Only 3% of population is over
● Low life expectancy marked by decrease
65 yrs
of the Bars [58 yrs]
● Infant mortality rate is high [81 per 1000]
Niger [LEDCS]
Bangladesh [LEDCS]
● Has a narrower Base than Nigerand other LEDCS
● There is fall in fertility rate due to birth control measures
● Birth rates are 23 per 1000
● A fall in mortality rate and increased life
expectancy evidenced by wide Bars
● Death rate 6 per 1000 half of Nigers
● Infant mortality rate 43 per 1000
[Niger as compared to Niger 81 per 1000
● Life expectancy 69 yrs
● 31 % of population below 15 years
● Only 5% of population over 65 years
● There is high dependency ratio due to many young peopel
UK :4 th Stage in DTM
MEDCS
● This is a MEDC which is underpopulated with a population
characterised by many elderly people and a high life expectancy
as evidenced by the bars. Birth rates are low evidenced by narrow
base
● The pyramid has a narrow base which shows low population
growth and a Low Birth rate of 13 per 1000.
● The pyramid Widens at the middle to show more economically
active people
● Infant mortality rate 4.3 per 1000
● Life expectancy is over 80 yrs
● Over 17 % of the population is above 65 yrs
Japan 5th Stage in DTM [ Declining population]
● Has a narrow base [ Inverted) showing Lowest fertility rate and
high life expectancy
● This is a MEDCS with low birth rates
● The birth rates are low 9 per 1000 which quite low
● High life expectancy over 83 years
● Pyramid broadens towards the centre
● This shows increase in economically
active people and more elderly people
● 13 % of the population is below 15 years
● 24 % of the population is above 65 yrs
● The country is underpopulated because of the low birth rates
How to compare population pyramids
A population structure of a
region experiencing rural urban
migration will have bars
indicating more males among
the young adults
Many people who move out to
urban areas young adults mostly
males
Urban Pyramid will have more
Males and Working population
A pyramid of a mining area has
more Males
